Minot State University and Briercrest College in Caronport, Saskatchewan, now have a partnership agreement for a concurrent degree program in education. The signing of the agreement took place on Briercrest College's campus on Monday (Feb. 7).

The program, which begins in fall semester 2011, will allow Canadian and American students the opportunity to receive two degrees in five years - a Bachelor of Arts degree from Briercrest and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Minot State. The students' first three years are spent at Briercrest and the remaining two at Minot State. Students can earn an education degree with a focus on elementary education, music, physical education, English or history.

Roughly 300 Canadians are currently enrolled at Minot State, as traditionally the university has attracted about 6 to 8 percent of its student body from its neighbor to the north. Administrators at Minot State say this program will only help to strengthen ties with students interested in programs MSU has to offer.

"Our agreement with Briercrest College will attract a lot of good students, students who are interested in becoming teachers," said Neil Nordquist, MSU dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences. "It's a nice fit for both schools and will be a great relationship for years to come."

Nordquist expects to see groups of 20-25 students a year who are interested in the concurrent degree program. Earning a degree from both Briercrest and Minot State will allow a student to teach in either the U.S. or Canada.

"We're thrilled to announce a partnership with Minot State University that will allow both Canadian and American students to take advantage of the rich faculty resources and distinctive strengths of both institutions," said Wes Olmstead, Briercrest College academic dean.

Caronport is 20 minutes west of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, a town that is a sister city to Minot and located 265 miles northwest of the Magic City.